Figuring It Out: Stereotypes an Excuse to Make Cruel Jokes

Tuesday

Nov 20, 2012 at 8:20 PM

‘Smart Asians," "rednecks," "Indian doctor." Why is it that these terms even exist? What is it that we say them again? Stereotypes; plain and simple, stereotypes. In my opinion, and probably the same opinion as most teens out there, these labels are used merely as excuses to make cruel jokes at one another and have what is thought of as a "good laugh."

By KRIYANA REDDYTHE LEDGER

‘Smart Asians," "rednecks," "Indian doctor." Why is it that these terms even exist? What is it that we say them again?

Stereotypes; plain and simple, stereotypes.

In my opinion, and probably the same opinion as most teens out there, these labels are used merely as excuses to make cruel jokes at one another and have what is thought of as a "good laugh."

To be honest, that laugh really isn't so fun and dandy and these labels do carry a lot of baggage with them. I don't see stereotypes as a way to amuse someone; in most cases people hide their disappointment behind peer-pressure-induced false humor.

One of the most recent examples in stereotypes arose in the media with Disney's new princess, Sofia. The company addressed that in efforts to reach a more diverse audience, it did model the princess after a typical girl of Hispanic descent.

This did not go over too well with the Hispanic-American population who argued to Disney that it was inaccurate in giving the girl an appearance of "light brown hair, blue eyes, and so-called lighter skin than usual."

This was not, to them, how the typical Latin American person looks, especially in the cartoon portrayal Disney hacked together.

I say this not to pass judgments or persuade you to fight against people with blue eyes. Instead, this is a lesson to all of us that predispositions are awful and could be done away with. We should not judge or cluster people into what I like to call "social groups," perhaps something else depending on context.

America is truly a country of potpourri where every face you see has some unique heritage to it. After all, this is the Melting Pot of the world. With all of the culture to go around for each of us, there should be no room for generalizations. This also comes in the form of professions (as mentioned earlier, intelligence, athletic abilities, and even high school rivalries between the "nerds" and "jocks."

"I don't fit into any stereotypes. And I like myself that way."— C. Joybell C.

[ Kriyana Reddy, a ninth-grader at International Baccalaureate school in Bartow, can be reached at kriyanaledger@gmail.com. ]